Background:
My husband and I stayed at the Liberty 2 for one night in March 2007. I booked it via the only online 'last-minute' website that I am familiar with, and that is Wotif.com. As it was my first time to Vietnam, I chose to stay here for one night, and Empress Hotel for another night -- just to maximise my experience of the hotels.

Why did I choose Liberty 2 and Empress? Because they were the cheapest hotels that were located in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), that also had reviews that I could find on Tripadvisor. I did not want to chance staying in a hotel without having read a single review on it.

This is my summary of the Liberty 2:

Location:
A stone's throw from the landmark Ben Thanh Market, the market was the first place we visited in HCMC.

Later, we walked to Dong Khoi, the main boutique strip in HCMC with luxury shops and the best hotels. (Louis Vuitton and Gucci had shop sites that were under construction. Roberto Cavelli and Dolce&Gabbana were already there. Having said that, the street was full of local touters and hawkers, conducting their trade on the pavement ground. If you decide to have a massage, as I did, ask the masseuse first if you have to pay a Tip. My foot massage cost me DOUBLE the original fee... because the masseuse gave me a sob story that she worked for "no salary" and existed only on Tips. But I digress...)

At night, my husband and I walked through a night market, bought some small items, had a small meal at one of the many food stalls, and walked back to our hotel.

Very Convenient!

Minimal taxi usage!

(You just have to get used to crossing roads with streams of motorcycles and cars/trucks.)

Our Room: It was a Double Superior room on the 8th Floor. The cost was USD 65, plus tax and fees, came to a total of USD 68. It was spacious (and certainly larger than the notoriously small rooms at the Empress!)

It was Clean, bright and airy, and had a recently-renovated bathroom with modern basin, taps and bathtub. I believe the Liberty 2 had a renovation about a year ago.

The decor style was 'modern' with neutral tones. (I dislike naff florals: it's soooooo 'eighties.)

The room had a good, soothing feeling about it. There was no smell of cigarettes or mouldy pipes/sewerage.

Breakfast: I slept through the complimentary breakfast (!) but my husband reported that it had a large selection. He accidentally picked up a durian cake, thinking it was marzipan. You gotta laugh.

Staff: They were friendly and pleasant. We were only there one night, hence not long enough to spend time with them.

Free Internet: On the groundfloor, between Reception and the Front Door, was located the Business Centre. It was a corner of the groundfloor dedicated to computers, et al. The internet speed was fast during off-peak hours, but much slower after 9am. Usage was complimentary to hotel guests.

'Negatives': The aircon and the refridgerator were both very slow and weak. We tried to chill a bottle of Champers that we had bought at the airport... and gave up, despite the bottle being in the 'fridge for more than 8 hours. As for the aircon, we kept the aircon on all day while out of the hotel. That ensured a cool-enough room upon return.

Would I stay there again?
Yes, because it is cheap(er), clean and nice and thus very acceptable.
Yes, because the location, even though not on where-it's-all-at-Dong-Khoi, was within walkable distance to the nicer parts of HCMC (ie, Dong Khoi and surrounding streets).

Unless someone gives me the address of a cheaper hotel, +/- in a location closer to Dong Khoi, that is also clean and nice (and has a modern bathroom with tub!!), I'll be booking at the Liberty 2 again next time I go to HCMC.

Fantastic hotel near Ben Thanh market with lots of food options nearby. Good breakast and excellent staff who are always smiling. Lift is quite slow. If you don't mind the noise, ask for a room at the front with a balcony to enjoy a view of Saigon & its crazy downtown traffic. Worth paying for the deluxe rooms as they are really spacious with a sofabed and beautiful bathrooms. Free internet available. Will not hesitate to stay here again.

I booked in here after staying 2 weeks in budget accomodation. I ended up paying $55 a night . The main clientele of this hotel were appeared to be businessmen rather than tourists which seemed to dictate the feel of the place.

Positves - breakfast buffet that you couldnt fault ( had best pho every day) - generous and comfortable rooms with in room safe, fridge, TV and good generous sized beds with separate lounge/ sofa. Staff were extremely helpful from reception to doormen even with language barriers I sometimes encountered.( no criticism of staff - I only speak one language, they obviously deal with more than one so more credit to them). Very close to the Ben Thahn market ( ? spelling) and walking distance into city centre and backpackers areas.

Negatives- because of mostly businessman clientele, there wasnt the friendly atmosphere I have encountered at budget accomodation elsewhere in Vietnam where other travellers tend to chat over breakfast and trade experiences and stories. This was a personal opinion , which I appreciate would not necessarily be shared by other travellers at this hotel .There was no pool.

Stay here because you want a little luxury and spoiling .